[For 4-Year-Olds] A Collection of Indoor Play and Game Ideas That Get Everyone Excited
Four-year-olds are starting to interact more with their friends, which also means they experience more inner conflicts.
Be sure to include lots of fun activities and create times when everyone can laugh together.
In addition to outdoor play, it’s great to do plenty of games indoors so children can move their bodies and minds to the fullest.
Indoor play and games aren’t affected by the weather, so it’s reassuring to have a wide variety ready.
This time, we’re introducing a range of games—from classics to ones that engage the body and the mind.
We hope you enjoy a wonderful time filled with the children’s cheerful voices.
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[For 4-year-olds] A collection of indoor play and game ideas that will get everyone excited (61–70)
Pasta Twirling Race
Here’s a perfect indoor activity: the Spinning Pasta Race! Prepare “pasta” by attaching yarn to a paper plate with tape.
On the end of the yarn that isn’t taped down, attach a cardboard tube from a roll of plastic wrap.
During the race, hold the tube and twist it to wind up the yarn.
It’s a fun competition to see who can wind the yarn—your pretend pasta—onto the tube the fastest.
To make it even more exciting, place a cutout of an animal with its mouth open between the paper plate and the tube, and set up a little sign that makes it look like the animal is eating.
Racing each other could be extra fun, too!
Run Away from the Hula Hoop Game
Make predictions and control your body movements! Here’s an idea for a “Run Away from the Hula Hoop” game.
It’s an active game that lets kids develop their prediction skills and reaction speed while having a blast.
Within the area where the hula hoop rolls, players move quickly in response to its motion and try to avoid touching it—simple rules.
By making predictions and deciding where to move next, children can improve their body control and sense of balance.
Ball tag
Let me introduce a tag game using a soft ball, called “Ball Oni.” Once the tagger (oni) is chosen, the tagger chases the others while holding the ball.
The tagger throws the ball at the players who are running away.
The player who gets hit by the ball becomes the next tagger and they switch roles.
Running and throwing the ball provide full-body exercise.
When playing Ball Oni, be sure to use a soft ball and explain safety rules beforehand, such as not aiming at the head or face.
If you’re in a large area, it might also be good to set boundaries for where players can run.
Signaling Game
Let me introduce a traffic-signal game everyone can play.
The rules are: blue = march in place one step, red = crouch quickly, yellow = look around by shaking your head, and any other color = do nothing.
First, choose one leader.
The leader calls out a color, and the other players perform the corresponding action.
Speeding up and keeping a good tempo will make the game more exciting! It’s best to start at a slower pace at first.
Number Touch Game
Let me introduce a number-touch game where you touch numbers posted on the wall.
Prepare by writing numbers on pieces of paper and sticking them randomly on the wall.
Have the children memorize the positions of the numbers on the wall.
The teacher calls out a number, and the children touch that number—this is the game.
It also helps train memory and reaction speed by remembering where the called number is.
Adjust the height of the numbers to match the children’s reach and give it a try.
You can also make the numbers easier to remember by using different colors of paper or other creative touches.
Sinking Game
Recommended when you want to be active and play indoors! Here are some ideas for a “Sinking Game.” The Sinking Game is a fun activity that gets everyone excited while enjoying communication.
Pretend the room is the ocean and create islands using mats and vaulting boxes.
Teachers or guardians play the role of sharks, and the unique rule is that the children run away so they don’t get caught by the sharks! As they play, children can develop listening and decision-making skills, so be sure to incorporate it into your activities!
A game using clothespins
Let me introduce a game that uses everyday clothespins.
Get a cardboard tube from plastic wrap, a paper plate, and some clothespins, and give it a try.
Place the paper plate on top of the cardboard tube, then gently place clothespins on the plate one by one.
The key is to place them carefully so they don’t fall.
The player who drops a clothespin loses.
It also sounds fun to clip the clothespins onto the edge of the paper plate! Drawing on the cardboard tube or the paper plate might make the game even more exciting.
Give it a try!